"LIRIN!!"
Blinking sleepily the small fox boy sat up in bed. Or more accurately fox girl. Today Lirin felt like being a girl so naturally he'd shift into one as he, now she, awoke for the day. '...That sounds like sis...and she sounds angry...'She thought as she brushed her hair.
'Did I forget to do my chores again? No I haven't done that in years...'Suddenly the door to her room burst open and her sister's furious face soon filled her view.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Lirin?!"
"... I'm brushing my hair?"
Apparently that was the wrong answer because the next second the brush was torn out of her hands and promptly yeeted out the window...
"..." 'Hey wait I liked that brush and it was pretty expensive ok!'
"What has you in a fit this time?!" Lirin asked still incredulously starring out the window her brush had flown out.
"You were supposed to be at school early today! Don't tell me you forgot about that conjuring competition already. You do get that first place means receiving a medal. And giving a speech. Or do I need to tell mom you're not planning on going?"
"..."
"Do just stare at me you idiot! Get going! Just arrange you hair and wear some nice clothes or something!"
"Fine fine I'm going ok!"
Using some common spells Lirin appeared at the school's entrance with her black hair braided a light green bow tying the ends. She was wearing a mint summer dress paired with a translucent white shawl and white stockings. Her braid was purposefully lose and slightly messy giving her a more carefree and gentle look. Today her eyes were a calming sea green as to fit her aesthetic.
Sighing she made her way to the auditorium. Lirin glanced around at the decorations in place for the assembly. Light poured in from the windows in the back and shown down upon the stage. The curtains had been changed from white cotton drapes rimed with patterns of gold to a metallic light blue laced silk. The seats were still black but they had been designed with an extremely reflective fabric and seemed to be glowing white thanks to the light orbs drifting around the room. Glittering teal and silver streamers were strung up, along with smaller bead like versions of the light orbs. And the curtains on the stage were shining ombrés of the other colors around the room. There were other minor decorations but she stopped paying attention to them as a few teachers who noticed her arrival called out to her.
"Miss. Lirin you're late!"
"I see you've chosen the female gender for this occasion? Any particular reason?"
"Do you want to practice your speech, you have just enough time for that I would think."
"..."'These people are being a bit loud, I'm really not that far away. But it's nice to have such passionate greetings in the morning' Lirin's thoughts wondered in such ways as she walked into the stage to greet them. Walking on the green, blue and white flower covered stage felt magical. It probably was considering all the flowers in the spirit realm had at least one magic property. "Sorry I'm late, is there anything left that I can help with?"
"Of course not! Do you know what time it is?! You're actually late this time ok." Called out one of the other students who had placed in the competition. If Lirin remembered correctly they were the runner up. Though they came second place they couldn't compare to her score. No one ever did, as a result she long stopped paying attention to the other's rankings. It wasn't like she didn't care, it was just a fact.
The other student complained half-heartedly until the guests started arriving. The guests chatted among each other, exchanging pleasantries. After a few minutes the principal and the couple who had sponsored the competition called for silence. At some point Lirin tuned out the other speeches and glazed over her own.
She didn't really care about things like this and would rather be giggling about something random with her friends while laying in a field. She knew what she was expected to do. Accept the award. Thank everyone for coming. Thank the couple and principal. Spout some bullshit about how hard she worked for the award, even though anyone who knew her would call her on her blatant lie in private. Say a few inspirational things no one would remember by tomorrow and then walk off stage. The principal would say a couple more words and then every one would head over to the snack table provided by the sponsoring lovers to chat or stuff their faces.
Lirin left the auditorium as soon as she could and decided to head to class an hour early. Before that though she decided the award ceremony took the life out of her and declared she felt like her original gender suddenly. In a empty hallway on her way to the classroom Lirin switched gender. Now with shoulder length hair, still in the braid but now a thinner one, keeping the same bow from before. In a mint sweater, white shorts and the very same white stockings, Lirin made his way to the classroom. Some of his friends were already there, he guessed the majority of those who were already at the classroom never went to the assembly...
"Lirin!" His head turned curiously, "Noel thinks you like the nickname 'Riri' better than 'Lili'!!"
"..." 'I should have expected it would be something like this...Should I get better friends? No they'll turn it into drama that'll end up with me still friends with them.'
"Lirin? Do you not remember your nicknames or something? We started calling you these 3 years ago I would think you remember. Does this mean I finally did something the great Lirin couldn't!!"
"..."
"Since I bested you you should do as I say. I'm obviously superior to you now~ So you need to tell that little fake that you definitely like 'Lili' better! Because the name 'Riri' is total trash!" ٩( +ω+ )و
As Hector was shouting the twins walked in. Prerna and Pirya's gazes swept the room and their eyes settled on Hector. "Hector what did we say about harassing Lirin!" The red headed Pirya was the first to speak up. Her hair was redder than fresh blood while her sister's was a ginger tone that turned redder in the sunlight. The younger sister Prerna had bright green eyes that shone like emeralds. While in contrast to her vivid red hair Pirya had very light green eyes so said it was because she was blind. They were exaggerating of course, but the girl did have a desperate need for glasses. Unfortunately she was strong willed and used that will to protest wearing her very essential eye wear. She claimed to do it to look more like her sister but Lirin had heard rumors that she was embarrassed by the glasses because she had to carry 5 pairs when she did due to how often she accidentally broke them...
"Pffttt-"
"How is this funny?! You need to stand up for yourself more Lirin!"
"Sorry, sorry I just had a silly thought..."
"???" The confusion was apparent on Pirya's face causing Lirin to break out into a fit of giggles. "Stop that you two, and as for you Hector-" Prerna had finally decided to intervene. She started on lecturing Hector but somehow went on till the bell rang.
The teacher seemed to be a few minutes late so multiple students who would have typically been marked tardy got lucky. Classes were much like the speech Lirin gave that morning. He ran on autopilot doing all that way expected of him as the world went by in a blur. He was still feeling funky from the assembly at lunch break so he summoned his favorite plushy to comfort him instinctively. It soon turned out to be a bad idea.
The plush had been his first gift his parents bought it but his sister picked it. She rarely gave him things like that and this one was the first thing he could ever call his. It was bought before he was born and given to him the day he was born. Birthdays are rare in the spirit realm as they couldn't die of old age they didn't celebrate years since they could have an eternity of them. But the stuffed fox had been a birthday present, it had been designed it look like a somehow fluffier version of his full fox form. He had named it Rin and it was his most precious possession.
When he brought it out at lunch he was swarmed by his curious schoolmates. Most wanted to hold the fluffy fox. Unfortunately he didn't trust anyone to hold it but his direct family. Even less the students who constantly played tricks on his and ruined his stuff. They didn't actively try to demolish his things but they got carried away very, very, very easily. He wasn't mad because the stuff he brought out that they were interested in were never important...until now.
"Come on dude at least tell us what it is!"
"Hey guys I grabbed its tail for a second it's unbelievably soft! I think it's made from heavenly grade materials!!"
"Heavenly grade?! I want one!"
"Lirin give it here!!"
"Let us hold it! It's not like we're gonna break it!! We probably can't break a heavenly grade item that easy?"
"HEY!" Suddenly a familiar voice called out. Lirin looked up from his plush to see Prerna and Pirya storming over. "She said 'hey' now get out of her way you idiots! Or are you actually gonna try harassing Lirin in front of us!" Pirya shouted at the crowd of students. Most backing off but staying in the surrounding area...The twins glared at everyone then walked up to the shaken boy who was cuddling the fluffy toy in his arms.
"Hey, you gonna be ok?"
"Yeah...O-of course..." His voice was trembling, the girls could see he obviously needed a minute. As they this happened the rest of his friends reach the table, all startled by the twins display. Certain ones were still curious about the plush though, the words 'Heavenly grade' still ringing in their minds. Luckily they were smart enough to leave him alone for the time being. Either because they didn't want to die at the wrath of the twins of they had the basic decency not to bother the twitching youth.
After sometime Lirin stabilized himself. And struck up a conversation attempting to make up for the drama he caused. The two girls had left a some time ago to report the other students behavior to the principal. But now that they had left a couple of classmates sitting at his table got a bit more daring...
"Hey Lirin what was that earlier? And what's the fox you keep clinging on to for?" Silence descended on the table. Most of the students shifted nervously, afraid the twins would come back. But a select few couldn't help but push their limits.
"Could we hold it? We're not like those other guys, we're your friends. We won't hurt it don't worry!"
Lirin was silent before speaking up.
"I'm sorry guys but this is too important to me... I just don't feel comfortable doing that..." The ones who had wanted to hold it looked down. They knew they should drop it before the girls got back. So they picked up the conversation again like nothing happened. Meanwhile one person just wouldn't give up. Of course it was Hector. He was busy thinking up a plan to make Lirin give up Rin. He may not have had to much common sense but he was smart enough to come up with this.
"Lirin! I just got word from the principal he wants to talk to you about what happened. You know with all the other students, Prerna and Pirya told him and he wants your side of the story. He also said he may have to confiscate your fox toy because it caused all this trouble."
"!!!" The color drained from Lirin's face once the last sentence had been spoken. He hadn't noticed Hector before so he assumed the other boy had come directly from the principal's office. Knowing that he had to go Lirin stood up. Of course he was weary of the principal thanks to the threat of confiscation. So he came to the conclusion that if he didn't bring Rin than it wouldn't be confiscated right away and he would have a chance to talk his way out of it. And that was exactly the conclusion Hector wanted him to make.
"H-Hector...Umm, could you hold R-Rin..."